Board-type game with removable play selector member

ABSTRACT

Game apparatus includes a vibrating panel having a playing field defined on its upper surface. Player pieces are supported upon the panel, and a removable play selector member serves to position them in a predetermined formation. The play selector member and/or the player pieces are adapted to move across the field during vibration of the panel, and the play selector member may hold two or more players in a fixed relationship during their movement.

[4 Dec.3, 1974 1 BOARD-TYPE GAME WITH REMOVABLE PLAY SELECTOR MEMBER [75] Inventor: Joseph Brian Clarke, Nuns lsland, Quebec, Canada [73] Assignee: Coleco Industries, 1nc., Hartford,

' Conn.

[22] Filed: May 16, 1972 [21] App]. No.: 253,890

[52] US. Cl. 273/94 R, 46/1 C, 273/85 R [51] Int. Cl. A631 7/06 [58] Field of Search 46/1 C; 273/85 R, 85 F, 273/86 E, 94 R, 94 F, 22, 46

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,819,932 8/1931 Walden 273/94 R X 1,905,303 4/1933 Potter i 273/94 R 2,035,204 3/1936 Tazelaar 273/46 2,101,764 12/1937 Swart 273/94R 11/1941 Winter 273/94 R 2,946,134 7/1960 Neilson 273/94 R X 3,011,787 12/1961 Modica et a1. 273/86 E 3,400,931 9/1968 Thornton r 273/94 R 3,466,038 9/1969 Hill i t 273/22 X 3,602,507 8/1971 Naylor 273/46 X Primary Examiner-Anton O. Oechsle Assistant Examiner-Harry G. Strappello [5 7 ABSTRACT Game apparatus includes a vibrating panel having a playing field defined on its upper surface. Player pieces are supported upon the panel, and a removable play selector member serves to position them in a predetermined formation. The play selector member and- /or the player pieces are adapted to move across the field during vibration of the panel, and the play selector member may hold two or more players in a fixed relationship during their movement.

' 17 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTLD DEC 1 74 SHEET 10F 4 FIG.2

PATENTELBEE 31914 385L878 SHEEF 30F &

bill/1 17A,)

FIG.7

BOARD-TYPE GAME WITI-I REMOVABLE PLAY SELECTOR MEMBER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Table-type games which simulate popular sports are well known and utilize pivoted members or movable players to simulate game action. Those that rely upon movable players utilize a variety of different mechanisms to propel players across the field or playing area thereof. Most commonly, the player pieces of such games are moved by vibration of the playing surface, and some utilize magnetic coupling to a manually operable control device or both of such effects. Games of the combination type are described and claimed in the copending U.S. application for Letters Patent of Donald Huffman and Richard M. Majewski entitled Football Game with Magnetic Control Rods, filed July 26, 1971, Ser. No. 166,188 now Pat. No. 3,782,726.

In playing such sport games, it is usually necessary to position several players in formation at the outset to conform to actual play and to obtain maximum strategical advantage. Moreover, it is frequently desirable for two or more of the pieces to move as aunit in a preselected relationship to one another. Younger children often are not familiar with the player lineups on the field of various types of plays, particularly in football, and must resort to instruction booklets to obtain information. So far as is known, movement of several players in a predetermined formation is not possible in existing vibration board games.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a novel game apparatus in which a number of player pieces may be initially positioned in a variety of predetermined formations by means of a removable template.

It is also an object to provide such apparatus in which at least some of the player pieces may be conjointly moved in formation upon the game board.

Another object is to provide such game apparatus having the foregoing features and advantages and enabling manually controlled movement of some player pieces and vibratory movement of other player pieces.

Still another object of the invention is to provide such game apparatus which permits the application of sports strategy and procedure in a realistic manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It has now been found that the foregoing and related objects of the present invention are readily attained in a game apparatus comprising a game board member, a multiplicity of player pieces, and a removable play selector member. The game board member includes a substantially planar playing portion having means on its upper surface defining a playing field, and having an electric vibrating mechanism operatively connected to the playing portion for vibration thereof. The player pieces have base portions supporting them upon the playing portion of the game board member, and the play selector member has means positioning a plurality of the player pieces in a predetermined formation on the playing field. The play selector member and/or the player pieces are adapted for movement upon the playing portion during vibration thereof, so that vibration of the playing portion causes movement of at least some of the player pieces supported thereon.

The play selector member will, in some instances, comprise a substantially planar template disposed upon the upper surface of the playing portion. The position ing means of the template may at least in part be provided by a plurality of apertures dimensioned and configured to receive the base portions of the player pieces therein. It may be desirable to have at least one of the apertures of the template extending to an outer edge thereof, to permit the player piece received therein to move therethrough and outwardly of the template. A guide slot extending inwardly from the edge of the template may provide at least a portion of such an aperture for guiding the movement of the player piece, and preferably it has a portion of greater thickness which provides a peripheral ridge extending at least partially about the guide slot.

In other embodiments of the invention the player piece positioning means may be disposed on the upper surface of the template and adapted to disengageably locate the player pieces in the desired predetermined formation, such positioning means advantageously comprising discrete areas of ever-tacky adhesive material. A template of this type may be provided by a sheet of synthetic resinous material, and the resinous material is beneficially a fluorocarbon polymer having a low coefficient of friction. The template and/or the base portions of player pieces may be provided with a plurality of resiliently deformable leg elements depending therefrom to provide support therefor upon the upper surface of the player portion, so as to facilitate movement thereacross during vibration thereof. In some cases a template will be employed which is adapted for facile removal from the playing portion after the player pieces have been positioned thereby.

In further embodiments of the invention, the play selector member may comprise a web member interconnecting a plurality of player pieces above the base portions thereof. The portions of such a web member extending between the playerpieces are desirably disposed thereabove to permit similarly dimensioned pieces of an opposing team to move beneath such an interconnecting web member. The web member may have depending portions engaging the interconnected player pieces about the upper portions thereof, and the player pieces may have recesses in their upper portions snugly receiving the ends of such depending portions. Preferably, at least one of the player pieces includes an element of magnetically susceptible ferrous material adjacent the base portion thereof, and in such a case the playing portion is appropriately relatively thin and fabricated from a nonferrous material. The playing portion of the game board member is most desirably substantially rectangular, with the apparatus additionally including a pair of control members for the player pieces, one of which is slidably and pivotably mounted at a point along each of two opposite sides of the game board member. Each control member may have at least one magnet secured thereon for disposition beneath the playing portion of the game board member and adapted for magnetic coupling with an element of magnetically susceptible material provided on at least one of the player pieces. Most appropriately, the playing field defining means simulates a football field and the player pieces simulate players of football teams.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of football game apparatus embodying the present invention with the templates and two players offset from the playing field;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of one of the set of templates utilized as play selector members in the apparatus of FIG. 1, drawn to an enlarged scale and having the base of a player piece positioned in one of the apertures thereof;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a player piece utilized in the game apparatus and drawn to the scale of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary plan view of the playing field of the apparatus of FIG. 1, drawn to an enlarged scale and having a set of play selector templates disposed thereon;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of play selector template;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of still another embodiment of play selector template;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view of the template of FIG. 6 along the line 7-7 thereof and drawn to an enlarged scale;

FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of three player pieces interengaged by a further embodiment of play selector template; and

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the assembly of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS Turning now in detail to FIG. 1 of the appended drawings, therein illustrated is a football game apparatus embodying the present invention and including a game board, generally designated by the numeral 10, having mounted the rein a pair of control members. generally designated by the numeral 12. The board 10 simulates a football stadium and has a rectangular frame consisting of side and end frame sections 14 joined at their ends by corner pieces 16. Within suitable channels (not illustrated) of the frame sections 14 are engaged the marginal portions of the planar panel 18, which has field markings and goal post structures upon its upper surface to simulate an actual football playing field. To afford further realism, a grandstand structure 22 is mounted at one side of the game board 10 upon a frame section 14, and an operative scoreboard 24 is affixed thereto to register the score, quarters, and downs during play of the game. An electrical vibrating mechanism 25 is installed against the lower surface of the panel 18 to impart vibratory action thereto; the mechanism 25 has a switch plunger 26 exposed on the upper surface of the panel 18 for ready access, and a power line 27 extending from the game board 10.

Mounted in sidewall openings of the frame sections 14 at opposite sides of the game board 10 are a pair of control member support fixtures or guides frames 28, only one of which is visible. Each support fixture 28 has a laterally elongated passageway 30 therethrough in which is pivotably and slidably mounted by appropriate means the associated control member 12. The control members 12 consist of a narrow elongated shaft 32 with a handle 34 on its outer end and a magnet assembly 35 located on the inner end thereof beneath the panel 18. Since the shaft 32 of the control member 12 is slidably and pivotably received in the passageway 30 of the support fixture 28, the control member 12 may be manipulated so as to shift the magnet assembly 35 thereof to virtually any location beneath the panel 18.

With particular reference now to FIGS. 3, 8 and 9, player pieces, generally designated by the numeral 36, are illustrated and consist of a football player figure 38 mounted upon a hollow depending base 40 which has a curved end 42 and a thin plate 44 of ferrous metal interposed beneath the figure 38. The hollow base 40 opens downwardly to define a recess in which a magnetic coupling block 45 may be positioned (FIG. 3) and retained by magnetic attraction to the ferrous metal plate 44; the plate 44 also enables engagement of the magnetic football member 46 (shown on the base of the center player piece 36 in FIG. 8) used in the play of the game. A number of resiliently deformable legs 48 extend downwardly and rearwardly (relative to the forward disposition of the figure 36) from the base 40 and contact the upper surface of the panel 18. The legs 48 are of sufficient rigidity to support the weight of the player piece 36 above the upper surface, and vibration of the panel 18 causes the player pieces 36 to walk upon the legs 48 in a direction determined by the disposition thereof. The features of the game apparatus thus far described are more fully illustrated and described in the previously identified copending application for Letters Patent of Donald Huffman and Richard Majewski.

Turning now in detail to FIGS. 2 and 4, the templates utilized as the play selector members of the apparatus of FIG. 1 are illustrated in detail and are generally des ignated by the numerals 50 and 52. The template S0 is utilized to dispose the player pieces in a typical 4-34 defensive formation, and for that purpose has a number of individual player piece apertures 54. The apertures 54 have forward portions curved to correspond to and securely engage the forward end 42 of the base 40 of a player piece 36, and the trapezoidal rear portions thereof enable limited axial pivoting of the player piece for a degree of directional variation. The template 50 also has a pair of double apertures 56, each dimensioned and configured to receive two player pieces 36, and partial apertures 58 are provided along the outer edges thereof. As will be noted, the template bears printing designating the formation provided thereby and the various positions of the players therein. Similarly, the offensive formation template 52 has a number of individual player apertures 54, and a partial aperture 58 along one edge. To assemble a typical offensive forward line, the template 52 has an enlarged opening 60 dimensioned and configured to engage therein a multiplicity of player pieces in a side-by-side lineup with the curved portions thereof designating positions of individual pieces therein. In addition to the formation and position designations, the template 52 has a line of scrimmage" printed thereon, with notches at each end thereof to facilitate placement of the template 52 and thereby template 50 in the proper positions by reference to the yard markings on the panel 18.

As suggested previously, vibration of the panel 18 causes the player pieces to proceed in a direction dic tated by the disposition of the legs 48 thereon. The manner of usage of the control rods 12 is more fully described in the aforementioned application of Huffman and Majewski; however. it might be concisely stated that the rods 12 are utilized to control the movement of individual player pieces 36 by coupling the magnet assembly 35 on the inner end thereof with a complementary magnet 45 secured under the base 40 of at least one of the player pieces 36. The templates 50, 52

may be utilized either by permitting them to remain in place on the upper surface of the panel 18, in which case all player pieces 36 engaged thereby will move as a unit, or they may simply be used in the initial setting up of the play and then removed to permit the player pieces 36 to proceed individually. It will be appreciated that the templates 50, 52 may be modified by the provision of legs corresponding to those designated 48 on the player pieces to facilitate their movement when left in place, and that the edge portions thereof may desirably be bevelled or otherwise configured to enable and facilitate movement of freely moving player pieces from the opposing team thereover.

FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative type of play selector member or template that may be utilized in the apparatus of the present invention. It consists essentially of a relatively thin sheet 62 of synthetic resinous material having a multiplicity of ever-tacky areas 64 defined on the upper surface 66 by a suitable adhesive or bonding agent deposited thereon. The ever-tacky areas 64 are arranged to position player pieces 36 in an appropriate offensive or defensive formation by adhesively engaging the base portions 40 thereof. It will be appreciated that in this embodiment the support sheet 62 will remain upon the panel 18 during play of the game, and that to facilitate its movement thereon the synthetic resinous material may appropriately be one exhibiting a low coefficient of friction, such as the fluorocarbon resins commercially available under the trademark TEFLON, or the like. Moreover, the sheet 62 may be 7 FIG. 6 illustrates a play selector sheet member 68 which is virtually the same as that shown in FIG. 5, with the exception that two of the ever-tacky areas on the sheet 62, (i.e., those designated 64' and 64") have been replaced by running slots 70, 70". As is best seen in FIG. 7, the slots 70, 70" are defined by peripheral guide ridges 72, and it will be appreciated that the slots 70', 70" serve to permit individual player pieces to escape from the original formation that is dictated by the sheet 68, with the guide ridges 72 serving to ensure that the player pieces proceed in the desired direction.

Turning finally to FIGS. 8 and 9, therein illustrated is another embodiment of play selector member which, in this instance, comprises a spider or connecting web member generally designated by the numeral 74 consisting of a crossbar 76, a rearwardly extending spacer bar 78, and pins 80 depending from the ends of the bars 76, 78. The pins 80 are removably engaged in small downwardly extending apertures 82 in the head portions of each of the figures 38, with the spider 74 thereby maintaining the player pieces 36 in predetermined relative positions. As will be noted, the spider 74 is so designed that the bars 76, 78 thereof are located in a plane above the tops of the figures 38, thus permitting freely moving player pieces to pass therebeneath without interference.

As has been suggested, the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4 is most appropriately utilized by initially placing the templates 50, 52 upon the upper surface of the panel 1 8 in the manner shown in FIG. 4. The proper number of player pieces 36, divided into two identifiable teams, are then seated within the apertures 54, 56, 58, 60 of the templates 50, 52 directly upon the surface of the panel 18. Thereafter, the templates 50, 52 are removed without disturbing the player pieces 36, and the trapezoidal rear portions of the apertures 54 and somewhat enlarged dimensions of the other apertures facilitate such removal. Play is begun by actuating the vibrator 25, whereupon the player pieces 36 walk across the surface of the panel 18 in directions dictated by the legs depending from the base portions 40 thereof. Superimposed upon such action may be the motion imparted to selected player pieces 36 by manipulation of the control members 12, the latter effect being enhanced significantly by the provision of a magnetic coupling block-45 within the base portion 40 of those player pieces 36 which are to be independently controlled. Play of the game may then proceed in a manner conforming closely to standard rules and regulations, which may be appropriately modified as necessary in conformity with the character of the apparatus.

The embodiments of FIGS. 5 and 6 are employed by initially securing the proper number of player pieces 36 to the upper surfaces of the sheets 62, 68 in the areas 64 that are coated with ever-tacky adhesive material. Generally only one team of players will be assembled on such a template, with the relatively small thickness thereof enabling player pieces 36 of the opposing team to proceed thereover; this may most appropriately be accomplished by use of the control members 12. The sheets 62, 64 may be adapted merely to remain stationary so as to perform a primarily obstructive function. Alternatively, they may migrate over the panel during its vibration to cause movement of the assembled team en masse, and such movement may result either from the inherent nature of the material from which the sheets 62, 68 are fabricated or be due to the provision of legs 48 or other comparable motion facilitating means. The modification of FIG. 6 enables certain of the player pieces to be initially positioned in formation while subsequently permitting their relatively unimpeded movement therefrom, motive power therefor being furnished either by vibration of the panel 18 or by the control members 12.

Finally, with regard to the embodiment of FIGS. 8 and 9, the player pieces 36 are appropriately assembled at the outset of play by engagement of the spider 74. The grouped player pieces may thereafter be moved in assembly upon the panel 18 by vibratory action and/or by coupling of one or more of the player pieces 36 with the magnet of one of the control members 12. As depicted the central figure 36 of the group has the magnetic football member 46 attached to the base portion 40 thereof, thus designating him as the ball carrier. The player pieces 36 located to either side would then function as blockers somewhat in advance of the ball carrier, and this relationship is illustrated in FIG. 9. Although not essential in all cases, the desirability of elevating the crossbars 76, 78 of the spider 74 will now be apparent since, if a player piece of-an opposing team is to have the ability to contact the central player piece of the group illustrated, interference must not be presented by the spider 74. Similarly, it can be seen that the spacing between the outer player pieces is entirely adequate to enable penetration by an opposing player piece for access to the ball carrier.

Many variations in the manner of grouping together the player pieces are certainly possible, and will depend only upon use of a desired play selector member. Thus, rather than using the full templates and sheets illustrated in the drawings, partial members might be used to position less than a full team of player pieces relative to one another. A spider member of the type depicted may be modified to provide a different number of con necting elements, so as to enlarge or diminish the group of player pieces positioned thereby, and the means and points of attachment may vary considerably. Thus, snap-on or adhesive attachments may be used, and connections may be at the head or shoulder areas. or even at the leg or lower body portions if so desired. Although the spider will normally be fabricated from a relatively rigid metal or plastic material, a non-resiliently deformable material may be used to permit changes at will of the relative positions of the pieces which it engages. Of course, the game apparatus will normally include a collection of play selector members to enable positioning the player pieces in a variety of different formations, and a number of different types of play selector members may be employed concurrently (either within one team or to differentiate between teams in terms of their modes of movement).

As will be appreciated, although the inclusion of a magnet to render certain of the player pieces magnetically susceptible constitutes a preferred embodiment, this is not essential and adequate magnetic susceptibility may result simply by the provision of an appropriately positioned ferrous element. In some cases it may be desirable to render the players of the two teams each susceptible to different magnetic polarity (north or south) by orientation of the magnets with the poles disposed in opposite directions. The control member provided to the participants would, in such a case, have magnets which are disposed in opposite directions specific to the polarity of that individuals player pieces. In this manner, a player piece of the one team would be repelled by the control member for the other team. and vice versa.

More than two control members and support assemblies may be utilized to permit simultaneous movement of more than one player on each team or play by more than two persons, and the positions of the members may vary from the illustrated embodiment. For example, they may both be disposed on the same side of the game board if so desired. The control members may also be provided with two or more spaced magnets to enable simultaneous movement of a comparable number of player pieces thereby.

Although the materials of construction will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, some additional information with respect thereto may be of benefit. The magnets used may be of cast metallic or sintered powder construction, and they may be multipolar, with alternating regions of polarity therein. Such multipolar magnets will be positioned in the player piece and control members so as to cause the flux lines thereof to intersect the game board playing portion in a direction generally normal thereto, and their usage may be relied upon to enhance the strength of coupling that is obtained. If so desired, spaced pole pieces may be provided on such magnets to isolate and concentrate the magnetic fields of each of the regions, and to thereby increase the overall field strength thereof. The playing portion of the game board is desirably fabricated of a thin sheet of smooth surfaced (at least on the upper face) synthetic or resinous material or of a cellulosic,

such as fiberboard. In the preferred embodiments the playing portion will be of a material that is not magnetically susceptible, and will be sufficiently thin to permit magnetic flux to pass therethrough substantially unattenuated. The frame portions of the game board are desirably formed from sheet metal, which will preferably be ferrous to enable magnetic attachment thereto of various optional accessories that may be used if desired. The base portions of the player pieces will advantageously be produced from a synthetic resinous material to afford to the legs thereof the desired combination of resilient deformability and rigidity adequate for support and also for directional control of movement, and the polyamides function well as such.

Although the invention has been described in greatest detail with respect to the provision of game apparatus simulating the sport of football, it should be understood that the concept is not so limited. Thus, the principles disclosed are equally applicable to other sports wherein player piece formations may be significant, such as hockey, soccer, basketball, etc., and games simulating such sports (as well as non-sport games) are considered to be fully within the scope hereof; moreover, the terms player piece and playing field" should not be construed to impose any undue limitation to sports-type games.

Thus, it can be seen that the present invention provides a novel game apparatus in which a number of player pieces can be initially positioned in a variety of predetermined formations. The apparatus permits the application of sports strategy and procedures in a realistic manner; it may be adapted to permit conjoint movement of at least some of the player pieces in for mation. and it may enable manual movement of some player pieces and vibratory movement of other ones thereof.

Thus having described my invention, I claim:

I. In a game apparatus, the combination comprising: a game board member including a substantially planar playing portion having means on the upper surface thereof defining a playing field; an electric vibrating mechanism operatively connected to said playing portion for vibration thereof; a multiplicity of player pieces supported by base portions thereof upon said playing portion of said game board member in opposing team formations; and a pair of substantially planar removable play selector members on said game board upper surface, each of said play selector members having a multiplicity of apertures therethrough spaced inwardly of the side margins thereof and from each other, a multiplicity of said player pieces having their base portions disposed within a multiplicity of said apertures of each said play selector member in a predetermined formation on said playing field defined by said apertures of said play selector members to provide a line of players along the side of the selector members facing the players of the opposing team and a plurality of player members having their base portions disposed in some of said apertures of each said play selector members in spaced relationship behind said line of players thereof, said apertures being larger than the base portions of said player pieces to permit removal of said selector member from the predetermined formation of said player members without disturbance thereof, said player members disposed in the apertures of each of said play selector members thus defining an arrangement of two opposing teams on said playing field, said base portions of said player pieces having means thereon cooperating with said playing portion for movement upon said playing portion during vibration thereof whereby vibration of said playing portion causes movement of at least some'of said player pieces supported thereon.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said base portions of said player pieces have a plurality of resiliently deformable leg elements depending therefrom to provide support therefor upon said upper surface of said playing portion, and to facilitate movement of said player pieces during vibration thereof.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein at least one of said plurality of player pieces includes an element of magnetically susceptible ferrous materialadjacent said base portion thereof.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said playing portion is relatively thin and is fabricated from a nonferrous material.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said playing portion of said game board member is substantially rectangular, and wherein said apparatus additionally includes a pair of control members for said player pieces, one of said control members being slidably and pivotably mounted at a point along each of two opposite sides of said game board member.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein each of said control members has at least one magnet secured thereon for disposition beneath said playing portion, and wherein at least one of said player pieces includes an element of magnetically susceptible material for magnetic coupling with said magnet of at least one of said control members.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said playing field defining means simulates a football field and wherein said player pieces simulate football players.

8. in a game apparatus, the combination comprising: a game board member including a substantially planar playing portion having means on the upper surface thereof defining a playing field; an electric vibrating mechanism operatively connected to said playing portion for vibration thereof; a multiplicity of player pieces supported by base portions thereof upon said playing portion of said game board member in opposing team formations; and a substantially planar removable play selector member comprising a template having discrete areas of ever-tacky adhesive material on the upper surface thereof disengageably locating a multiplicity of said player pieces in a predetermined formation on said playing field, said play selector member being movable upon said playing portion during vibration thereof whereby vibration of said playing portion causes movement of said player pieces supported thereon.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said template is provided by a sheet of synthetic resinous material.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said synthetic resinous material is a fluorocarbon polymer having a low coefficient of friction.

11. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said template includes at least one aperture therethrough extending to an outer edge of said template, at least one player piece disposed within said aperture, said aperture being dimensioned larger than the base portion of said player piece disposed therein to permit the player piece re- 13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said template has a portion of greater thickness providing a peripheral ridge extending at least partially about said guide slot.

14. In a game apparatus, the combination comprising: a game board member including a substantially planar playing portion having means on the upper surface thereof defining a'playing field; an electric vibrating mechanism operatively connected to said playing portion for vibration thereof; a multiplicity of player pieces supported by base portions thereof upon said playing portion of said game board member in opposing team formations; and a substantially planar removable play selector member comprising a template having means positioning a plurality of said player pieces in a predetermined formation on said playing field, said play selector member having a plurality of resilient deformable leg elements depending therefrom to provide support therefor upon said upper surface of said playing portion to facilitate movement of said template thereacross during vibration thereof, whereby vibration of said playing portion causes movement of at least some of said player pieces supported thereon by said play selector member.

15. In a game apparatus, the combination comprising: a game board member including a substantially planar playing portion having means on the upper surface thereof defining a playing field; an electric vibrating mechanism operatively connected to said playing portion for vibration thereof; a multiplicity of player pieces supported by base portions thereof upon said playing portion of said game board member in opposing team formations; and a removable play selector member comprising a web member interconnecting a plurality of player pieces and positioning said plurality of said player pieces in a predetermined formation on said playing field, the portions of said web member extending between said player pieces being disposed above said player pieces to permit similarly dimensioned player pieces of an opposing team to move beneath web member portions interconnecting said player pieces, said base portions of said player pieces having means thereon cooperating with said playing portion for movement upon said playing portion during vibration thereof whereby vibration of said playing portion causes movement of at least some of said player pieces supported thereon.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said web member has depending portions engaging the interconnected player pieces about the upper portions thereof.

ceiving the ends of said depending portions. 

1. In a game apparatus, the combination comprising: a game board member including a substantially planar playing portion having means on the upper surface thereof defining a playing field; an electric vibrating mechanism operatively connected to said playing portion for vibration thereof; a multiplicity of player pieces supported by base portions thereof upon said playing portion of said game board member in opposing team formations; and a pair of substantially planar removable play selector members on said game board upper surface, each of said play selector members having a multiplicity of apertures therethrough spaced inwardly of the side margins thereof and from each other, a multiplicity of said player pieces having their base portions disposed within a multiplicity of said apertures of each said play selector member in a predetermined formation on said playing field defined by said apertures of said play selector members to provide a line of players along the side of the selector members facing the players of the opposing team and a plurality of player members having their base portions disposed in some of said apertures of each said play selector members in spaced relationship behind said line of players thereof, said apertures being larger than the base portions of said player pieces to permit removal of said selector member from the predetermined formation of said player members without disturbance thereof, said player members disposed in the apertures of each of said play selector members thus defining an arrangement of two opposing teams on said playing field, said base portions of said player pieces having means thereon cooperating with said playing portion for movement upon said playing portion during vibration thereof whereby vibration of said playing portion causes movement of at least some of said player pieces supported thereon.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said base portions of said player pieces have a plurality of resiliently deformable leg elements depending therefrom to provide support therefor upon said upper surface of said playing portion, and to facilitate movement of said player pieces during vibration thereof.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein at least one of said plurality of player pieces includes an element of magnetically susceptible ferrous material adjacent said base portion thereof.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said playing portion is relatively thin and is fabricated from a nonferrous material.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said playing portion of said game board member is substantially rectangular, and wherein said apparatus additionally includes a pair of control members for said player pieces, one of said control members being slidably and pivotably mounted at a point along each of two opposite sides of said game board member.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein each of said control members has at least one magnet secured thereon for disposition beneath said playing portion, and wherein at least one of said player pieces includes an element of magnetically susceptible material for magnetic coupling with said magnet of at least one of said control members.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said playing field defining means simulates a football field and wherein said player pieces simulate football players.
 8. In a game apparatus, the combination comprising: a game board member including a substantially planar playing portion having means on the upper surface thereof defining a playing field; an electric vibrating mechanism operatively connected to said playing portion for vibration thereof; a multiplicity of player pieces supported by base portions thereof upon said playing portion of said game board member in opposing team formations; and a substantially planar removable play selector member comprising a template having discrete areas of ever-tacky adhesive material on the upper surface thereof disengageably locating a multiplicity of said player pieces in a predetermined formation on said playing field, said play selector member being movable upon said playing portion during vibration thereof whereby vibration of said playing portion causes movement of said player pieces supported thereon.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said template is provided by a sheet of synthetic resinous material.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said synthetic resinous material is a fluorocarbon polymer having a low coefficient of friction.
 11. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said template includes at least one aperture therethrough extending to an outer edge of said template, at least one player piece disposed within said aperture, said aperture being dimensioned larger than the base portion of said pLayer piece disposed therein to permit the player piece received therein to move therethrough and outwardly of said template.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said template has at least one guide slot extending inwardly from an edge thereof to provide at least a portion of said one aperture for guiding the movement of the player piece.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said template has a portion of greater thickness providing a peripheral ridge extending at least partially about said guide slot.
 14. In a game apparatus, the combination comprising: a game board member including a substantially planar playing portion having means on the upper surface thereof defining a playing field; an electric vibrating mechanism operatively connected to said playing portion for vibration thereof; a multiplicity of player pieces supported by base portions thereof upon said playing portion of said game board member in opposing team formations; and a substantially planar removable play selector member comprising a template having means positioning a plurality of said player pieces in a predetermined formation on said playing field, said play selector member having a plurality of resilient deformable leg elements depending therefrom to provide support therefor upon said upper surface of said playing portion to facilitate movement of said template thereacross during vibration thereof, whereby vibration of said playing portion causes movement of at least some of said player pieces supported thereon by said play selector member.
 15. In a game apparatus, the combination comprising: a game board member including a substantially planar playing portion having means on the upper surface thereof defining a playing field; an electric vibrating mechanism operatively connected to said playing portion for vibration thereof; a multiplicity of player pieces supported by base portions thereof upon said playing portion of said game board member in opposing team formations; and a removable play selector member comprising a web member interconnecting a plurality of player pieces and positioning said plurality of said player pieces in a predetermined formation on said playing field, the portions of said web member extending between said player pieces being disposed above said player pieces to permit similarly dimensioned player pieces of an opposing team to move beneath web member portions interconnecting said player pieces, said base portions of said player pieces having means thereon cooperating with said playing portion for movement upon said playing portion during vibration thereof whereby vibration of said playing portion causes movement of at least some of said player pieces supported thereon.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said web member has depending portions engaging the interconnected player pieces about the upper portions thereof.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said player pieces have recesses in their upper portions snugly receiving the ends of said depending portions. 